On the Lookout: Calling All Links From Your Favorite 'Toons...

By
Michael Cavna

Here at the home office of Comic Riffs, we'd like to introduce a new feature called simply THE LOOKOUT, which will be exactly as it sounds: Every day, Comic Riffs will be on the lookout for links to that strip or animated clip, webcomic or Web spoof, graphic novel or novel graphic that deserves to be shared with other Riffsters. Each day, if you've come across anything you'd like to share from your comics travels, the Lookout will look to feature those links to a few of your favorite things.

Is that about as clear as "Ziggy's" reason for being? Well then, here are a coupla things from my last Web-scouting expedition. So, to wit:

1. FAVORITE SELF-FULFILLING "ILLUSION OF HUGE BUZZ":

So the folks hucking "Avatar" -- including, wholeheartedly at Comic-Con, James Cameron himself -- decide that this Friday is "Avatar Day." Great -- fans who couldn't attend the Con session get to see an extended trailer of the new film, including at 100-some IMAX theaters. But then the free tickets are offered Monday through a single Web site. Which -- who didn't see this coming? -- crashes beneath the traffic. (Visitors to the site reportedly got an error message for at least several hours.) The site is then fixed, generating yet another news item.

It's James Cameron. In cutting-edge 3D! With Zoe Saldana and Sam Worthington painted in sheer blue skin!. Really -- how much more does one need to get sufficiently amped?

2. FAVORITE "OH-SO-WRONG" CHRIS BROWN/CHARLIE BROWN MASHUP:
This "MAD" magazine satirical cartoon is inspired -- and a warning: It does contain one word that only my good colleague Dana Milbank would use in polite company.

3. FAVORITE RESUSCITATED PATRICK STEWART TRAILER:

For reasons I know not, this video of Capt. Picard singing in show-tune style was "rediscovered." Since it's gotten hot again, I share if you didn't catch the first time:

4. FAVORITE HEADLINE (RECENT VINTAGE):

Last week, over at DailyCartoonist.com, Alan Gardner had this splendidly telling headline about the ongoing Yale Press/Muhammad cartoon controversy, which has spilled into this week. When it comes to politics, the headline says it all:"Book about 12 Muhammad cartoons doesn't include them"

5. FAVORITE PICK-UP:

Although I didn't comment upon it, I smiled when I read this "Watch Your Head" strip last week and realized it had a condom gag. (This was the same day as "Tank McNamara's" Dick Cheney strip.) Upon reflection, I'm glad Mike Rhode over at comicsdc.com was keen enough to point it out -- and note the fact that The Post chose not to censor it. Huzzahs and thanks, Mr. Rhode.